Men's Soccer Teams Have Successful Sunday on the Pitch

Sunday, September 8 Results
Cleveland State 2, Marshall 1
Milwaukee 2, Bowling Green 0
UIC 4, Western Michigan 2
Valparaiso 2, #24 Michigan State 1
Detroit 0, Robert Morris 0 (2ot)
Oregon State 4, Oakland 1

Saturday, September 7 Results
Green Bay 2, Western Illinois 1

Cleveland State 2, Marshall 1
The Cleveland State men's soccer team beat Marshall 2-1 in the season's home opener at Krenzler Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Vikings (2-2-0) controlled the ball throughout the match and played tough defense against Marshall all game long.  Offensively for Cleveland State, senior forward Jordan Hart and senior forward Admir Suljevic led the charge for the Vikings on key goals to put the Vikings in the win column.

In the first half, Marshall put up the first points of the match when sophomore defender/midfielder Jack Hopkins scored his second goal of the season to give Marshall (0-3-1) an early 1-0 lead.  Juan Ortiz was credited on the assist.  That Vikings struck back when senior Jordan Hart booted an impressive goal from 30 yards out at the 36:42 minute-mark to tie the game at one and stood that way heading into halftime.  Hart's goal was his second on the season.

In the second half, CSU was in command offensively and defensively.  The Vikings were scrapping for every loose ball and attacking the net all throughout the second half.  Cleveland State attempted nine shots, where Marshall was only able to get off three shots in the second half.

At the 69:38 minute-mark junior, Admir Suljevic broke the tie when he scored his second goal of the season when he took a pass at the top of the box from junior midfielder/ defender Alex Obbey, when Suljevic kicked the ball into the lower left corner of the net.  Suljevic's goal happened to be the game winner.  Constant ball pressure from Cleveland State kept Marshall off the scoreboard during the second half.

CSU's goalkeeper Nick Ciraldo made his first start of the year on Sunday and defended the net well.  Ciraldo had three saves in the game.

Green Bay 2, Western Illinois 1
A game that saw a momentum shift from the first to second halves after a one-hour weather delay still saw the Green Bay men’s soccer team pick up the win as it held on for a 2-1 triumph over Western Illinois on Saturday afternoon at Santaga Stadium.

It was all Phoenix from the onset, as the home team came out and set the tone for the match. Controlling possession in the opening minutes, Sam Krenzien (Wauwatosa, Wis.) saw the first quality opportunity to score six minutes in after he was taken down just inches outside the box. Krenzien set up the free kick opportunity on the play, but sent the ball just over the goal. Less than a minute later Jordan Dover (Ontario, Canada) saw an opportunity squandered as his header was collected by WIU keeper Yves Dietrich.

Maintaining the offensive pressure, Sabastian Xiong (Cottage Grove, Wis.) put a header on goal and Krenzien followed with another challenge forcing Dietrich to make yet another save in the 24th minute. Green Bay was finally able to capitalize on its opportunities with two quick-strike goals in the 26th and 28th minutes to go up 2-0. Tyler Swanner (Glen Carbon, Ill.) put one on frame first, settling a pass from Lawrence Talery (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and sending it past the right side of the keeper for his first collegiate goal. Talery had a hand in the second goal as well, collecting a loose ball and chipping it to Krenzien, who headed it home directly in front of Dietrich.

It was a strong half for the Phoenix defense as well as the squad led in shots, 12-4, including 6-1 on goal.

Returning to the pitch for the second half, five minutes passed on the clock before the match was delayed for lightning in the area. After a one-hour delay, momentum switched to the visiting team when play resumed as the Leathernecks regrouped and came out strong. Outshooting Green Bay 9-7 in the second stanza, the game grew tense in the closing minutes as WIU was able to put several shots on goal, testing keeper Kyle Ihn (Wales, Wis.).
With less than two minutes remaining, Krenzien sent the ball back toward his own keeper from midfield and under pressure from the Leathernecks, Ihn picked up the ball. Immediately called for a foul to stop the clock, WIU set up for a free kick from eight yards out. Erick Bloom tapped the ball on the indirect and Husref Jupic sent it toward the net, hitting the crossbar before it bounced in to pull the visitors to within a goal, 2-1.

Chippy play remained in the closing minute, but the Phoenix maintained its composure to hold on for the win and remain unbeaten on the season, 2-0-1.

A tale of two halves still saw the Phoenix control shots, 19-13, while corners ended even at four apiece.

Milwaukee 2, Bowling Green 0
Juniors Rami Younes and Laurie Bell scored goals and freshman Liam Anderson recorded his first collegiate shutout to send the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Bowling Green State University Sunday at Engelmann Stadium.

The Panthers (2-0-1) scored once in each half against the Falcons (1-2-1) and used a strong defensive effort to record the clean sheet in the closing game of the 39th Panther Invitational. The 2-0-1 start marks the first time Milwaukee has been unbeaten after three contests since the 2005 campaign.

"I was really pleased with the effort that the guys put in today," UWM head coach Kris Kelderman said. "Our style of play, our possession was really good. We were sharp - the only thing that was missing was being a little sharper in front of the goal with our chances. But overall, I was very pleased with our performance today."

Anderson capped a solid weekend with his first shutout, making three saves on the day to improve his goals-against average on the season to 0.62. All three of the saves were impressive to watch, stopping a diving header in 47th minute, a diving save in a one-on-one situation in the 27th minute and a nice block of a blast from the wing in the 21st minute.

"He's a very composed person for being a young player," Kelderman said. "He had a great weekend and we're excited about it because he is a guy that is only going to get better. The guys in front of him, defensively, have done a really good job and our team defense was solid all weekend."

The offense was firing all day, ending the afternoon with a shot advantage of 21-to-5, including 7-to-3 in shots on goal. That gave UWM 39 in the two games on the weekend. UWM also earned eight of the 11 corner kicks on the day.

"That is something to build on," Kelderman said. "We have to do a little bit more with those chances but at least we are creating them. They (BGSU) are a big, strong, physical team and they work hard. We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game today, but we came ready to play and it showed. I am proud of the guys."

A scoreless game well into the first half, Younes netted his first goal of the year on some fine individual effort. After taking a pass from Bell, he moved up the left sideline, dodged a handful of defenders across the wing of the penalty area and sailed one in to the corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead at the 33:11 mark.
It stood that way until the 60th minute, when Bell easily netted a penalty kick to push the lead to 2-0.

Bell started the play that led to the PK, feeding senior Robbie Boyd on a nice pass into the penalty area. Boyd tried to sneak around a final defender, but was tripped, with the foul leading to the spot kick.

Freshman Beau Laufer provided a spark off the bench, recording four shots in just 39 minutes of action. Only a pair of great saves by the BGSU keeper kept him from finding the back of the net.

The Panthers stayed unbeaten after three games, the first time in eight years they have accomplished the feat (the 2005 team was also 2-0-1).

UIC 4, Western Michigan 2
The UIC men’s soccer team came away with its first win of the season Sunday after taking out Western Michigan, 4-2, at Flames Field.  The Flames held the shot advantage the entire match, and were able to net three in the second to come out on top of the Broncos.

With its first win, UIC moves to 1-2-0 on the season, as Western Michigan is without a win this season and falls to 0-4-0.

“I think our guys deserve a lot of credit,” head coach Sean Phillips said.  “If you don’t bring the fight to the opponent and you don’t do the little things right, you’re not going to get results.  The guys played within themselves, they didn’t make it complicated, they kept it simple, and we were able to defend better and score better.”

The Flames were dominant on the offensive side, holding a 15-4 shot advantage on the Broncos, who had just two shots in each half.

Senior Slobodan Aleksov put UIC on the board in the first with an unassisted strike in the 15th minute, but the Broncos would eventually come back with a goal from Oliver Mayer to head into the half, tied at 1-1.

The Flames resurged in the second period and never backed down from the Broncos, as junior Jesus Torres netted a pass from sophomore Jorge Alvarez to take the lead, 2-1, before Alvarez came in with a goal of his own off an assist from Torres.

“What really created the offense was the advantage,” Phillips added.  “We had very good defensive pressure, we took what they gave us and we played simple and within ourselves.  Today was a bit more direct, but it got some of our most dangerous attacking players into spots where they’re dangerous, and to our credit, they finished today very well.”

With under 10 minutes to play, Western Michigan’s Mayer was awarded a penalty kick and scored after a yellow card was given to freshman goalkeeper Andrew Putna, who had two saves on the day.  With the score at 3-2, Aleksov came right back for the Flames and scored his second goal of the game to secure the win.

Valparaiso 2, #24 Michigan State 1
The Crusader men entered their contest against Michigan State unbeaten, but without a win.  That changed Sunday afternoon as Valpo defeated the #RV/24 ranked Spartans 2-1.  Nick Suker (Downers Grove, Ill./South) would score his first goal of the season and subsequent game winner in the 79thminute of the match.  Valpo would go on to keep its goal advantage and pick up its first win of the season, remaining unbeaten.

“First off, I’m really proud of the players and my staff because it was a good performance today,” said head coach Mike Avery.  “When you can get a win over the defending Big Ten champions, a team that is ranked in the top 25, at their place, it’s a good result.  To also earn the win, because we really earned it today; it’s very satisfying.  A lot of work goes into that and I’m happy for the guys.  It’s a validating result for a lot of the things that we’ve been doing.”

With the match level at 1-1 late in the game, Daniel Killen (Brooklyn Park, Minn./St. Bernard’s) was able to collect the ball in the Spartan midfield, turn with it, and run at the Spartan back line.  Killen was able to create enough space to fire a shot on goal, but the shot was deflected before it found the goal.  The deflection was then controlled by Suker who was given enough time to settle the ball and tuck it away to give the Crusaders a 2-1 advantage in the 79thminute.  Suker’s goal would end up being the game winner, as Nico Campbell (Kingston, Jamaica/St. George’s College) and the Crusader backs were able to keep Michigan State from finding an equalizer.

“As the game wore on we were able to open them up and get at their back four.  They had to push because they were chasing the game and it left some big gaps,” said Avery.  “We did a really good job of collecting the ball in front of their back four and turning and running at them so that created a lot of dangerous chances.”

The Crusaders wasted no time settling into the game Sunday afternoon.  The team stayed organized, pressured the Spartans, and connected passes to create a quality attack early on the game.  The quality of Valpo’s attack was realized in the 23rdminute of the game as Yannick Iwunze (Paris, France/Hightower [Tex.] H.S.) was able to get in behind the Spartan backline and send a dangerous ball across the box.  Iwunze’s serve was settled at the top of the penalty area and finished beautifully by Todd Vervynckt (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth).

“I challenged the team this morning to really go after the opportunity and I think they listened and did that perfectly well,” said Avery.  “They went after it and imposed their will on the game and again, I’m very proud of them.”

The Crusaders would go into the second half holding a 1-0 advantage.  But as the second half played out, the Spartans would find their equalizer in the 64th minute on a ball sent in from a corner kick.   Michigan State’s Kevin Cope was able to finish his header and bring the game back to level.
Valpo would not unravel after conceding the goal, however.  The Crusaders stayed focused and tuned into the game.  The team would continue to attack and impose their will on the game.  Ultimately, it was this inspired play that led to the go ahead goal and the team’s first win of the season.  Valpo (1-0-3, 0-0-1 Horizon) remains unbeaten after four games played.

Suker and Vervynckt each scored their first goal of the season in Sunday’s match.  Iwunze and Killen were credited with the assists, also their first of the season.  In his first start, freshman goalkeeper Nico Campbell picked up his first win as a Crusader.

“It was a good performance in a lot of different areas today, both individually and collectively.  Our backs played well and the guys in the midfield were able to create and finish chances for us,” said Avery.  “It was also good for Campbell to get his first start and his first win.  He’s going to have a lot of them here at Valpo.”

Detroit 0, Robert Morris 0 (2ot)
The University of Detroit Mercy men's soccer team is still searching for its first victory of the 2013 season after a 0-0 draw with Robert Morris Sunday afternoon at Hartwick College. The Titans have now started the season with three-straight draws and have only given up one goal.

Detroit (0-0-3) began the contest on their heels as Robert Morris (0-1-2) got plenty of shots up early in the match. The Colonials held a 4-0 advantage in the shot column just 20 minutes into the match. However, junior goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher made two key saves to prevent the Titans from falling behind early and putting pressure on themselves to fight from behind to even up the contest.

Detroit would finally get things going as the Titans began to put together some runs that challenged the defense of Robert Morris, which included a chip shot by Zachary Atwood that went just left of the post.

Going into halftime the match remained goal less, but the opportunities UDM were getting late in the first half was something to build on for the second half of play.

Carrying the momentum over from the first half, UDM clamped down on defense and ramped up the offense creating chances for corners. During the second half, the Titans were getting some looks that were positive, but could not put it all together before regulation time concluded.

For the third time in as many games, UDM needed some extra time on the field. The Titans had a couple of clean looks on goal to begin the first overtime. The Robert Morris goalkeeper saved Adam Bedell's attempt and shortly after, Alex Mendonca sent one just over the top post before the first overtime concluded.

In the second overtime Robert Morris outshot the Titans 3-2, but Steinwascher continued to hold his own, as the Titans finished with a 0-0 draw in their final game of the 2013 Mayor's Cup.

Oregon State 4, Oakland 1
Miche'le Lipari scored the opening goal of the match but it wasn't enough as the Oakland men's soccer team (0-2-2) fell to Oregon State (4-1-0), 4-1 Sunday afternoon at the OU Soccer Field.

"Disappointing result to say the least," said coach Eric Pogue. "We got up early and scored the goal then took our foot off the pedal. We have to show a lot more heart, a lot more dedication and a lot more aggresiveness to the game if we want to get results."

Lipari scored very early in the match as he got the ball inside the penalty area from Matt Rickard and Matt Dudley to beat the keeper to the far left post in the third minute. Oregon State would answer quickly as Borce Atanasov took a shot from the top of the box in the 10th minute to beat Scott Messer to the left side of the goal.

The Beavers would net two more goals in the opening half as Josh Smith and Daniel Van Vleet scored in the 29th minute and 40th minute, respectively.